Volunteering

Volunteers

Volunteering at Markham Public Library is part of a city-wide initiative that offers rewarding experiences by allowing volunteers to make valuable contributions to the Markham community and strengthening the services the library offers. This webpage contains the summary of how to become a volunteer with us. For more resources, please visit City of Markham's volunteering page, opens a new window.

Volunteers must be at least 14 years of age and must complete these four steps to become a volunteer:

1. Create a volunteer account online

2. Attend an interview

Once you have created an account and joined a department, sign up for an interview.

Upcoming interview sessions are being added regularly by all departments can be found on MyImpactPage, opens a new window.

Look under, 'Interviews and Training Sessions' in the Opportunities tab. Or you can also see a complete list of interviews for all departments in 'Public Opportunities, opens a new window'. If you have signed up for a Markham Public Library interview session, please watch the Markham Public Library’s Volunteer orientation video prior to attending your interview session.

You are able to join an interview session in any department, with the exception of Aquatics, which has an exclusive interview and training process that involves being in the pool.

You will need only one interview, no matter how many departments you join.

You may interview again if you would like to change your ranking, after getting volunteer experience over a season or more.

3. Provide a Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC)

You must obtain your VSC at your regional police. If you live in York Region, you must get it from York Region Police, opens a new window. If you live in Toronto, you must get it from Toronto Police, opens a new window. Every regional police has a different process, please visit your regional police website to find out its VSC process.

If you are over the age of 18, you must get a letter of reference to apply for a VSC. A reference letter can be obtained by sending a request to volunteering@markham.ca with your full, legal name and complete address.

Once you have your VSC, bring the physical copy to any Markham library or Markham community centre front desk, staff will scan the VSC and give the VSC back to volunteers.

It takes at least 5 business days for the documents to be updated on MyImpactPage, opens a new window

4. Complete the General Orientation workshop quiz and AODA Training

Complete the General Orientation Workshop and quiz.

If you are unable to view the online training module, you may review the PDF version of the training module, opens a new window and complete the quiz.

Then, review the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) training and complete the quiz.

If you are unable to view the online training module, you may review the PDF version, opens a new window and complete the quiz. The AODA training takes approximately 20 mins and be sure to already have a volunteer account set up on MyImpactPage before taking the quiz. Volunteers will need to take this training every two years.

If you have any questions about the orientation, please ask staff during your live interviews.

Training

Additional training may be required if you want to volunteer for specialized programs, such as volunteering for summer camps and Makerspace activities.

WHMIS Training

Summer Camp Training

Roles and Expectations

As volunteers for Markham Public Library, we expect respect, dignity and professionalism at all volunteering opportunities. Please read through the City of Markham Volunteer Handbook [PDF], opens a new window

We rely on our volunteers for running programs and activities. By signing up for our volunteer opportunities, you are committing to helping with that event/program/task. It is important that you inform us of your absence. Volunteers who fail to inform us of their absences more than three times will need to complete the interview process again before they are able to sign up for future opportunities.

Please read below our Code of Conduct:

Show respect, dignity, and professionalism
Be a positive role model
Uphold our mission, values, and strategic priorities
Uphold and implement all departmental policies and procedures
Dress appropriately and follow your role’s specific dress code
Help make a positive working environment
Keep things confidential
Respect the privacy of others

Do not:

Criticize other volunteers, staff, participants, or services
Use profane, insulting, or offensive language
Be under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or banned substances. Our facilities are smoke free.
Give drugs, alcohol, or tobacco products to volunteers, participants, or guests

Logging Volunteer hours

Volunteers are responsible for logging their hours for school’s requirements. It is highly recommended that volunteers bring the documents provided by their school to the opportunities and have it signed by staff after the opportunity is over, unless told otherwise. We encourage volunteers to get their hours signed off promptly.

If volunteers did not get certain hours signed off from a previous opportunity, they must contact the volunteer lead at the branch where the activity took place and arrange a time for those hours to be signed off.

FAQs

As long as you are 14 years of age and older, you can join our volunteer team! Markham Public Library has many fun and engaging volunteer opportunities that will help you gain valuable skills and experience.
Yes, once you are qualified to volunteer, you can pick any volunteer opportunities that best fit you.
Each region has its own process of obtaining a VSC. Please visit your regional police website and follow its VSC process.

Search

Volunteering

Training

Roles and Expectations

Logging Volunteer hours

FAQs

About the Library

Borrowing

Help

Volunteering

Training

Roles and Expectations

Logging Volunteer hours

FAQs

I am not in high school yet, can I still volunteer?

Can I choose which locations I want to volunteer at?

How do I get my VSC (Vulnerable Sector Check)?